Sat 19th May – 2nd XI v Malden

DULWICH 40 lost to MALDEN WANDERERS 41-1 by 9 wickets

Ok, so let's get this over with. The best thing about writing this match
report is that there is very little to write about before the drone of
wicket after wicket becomes as boring as watching it did!

It was a fairly standard day down at b-bage road, overcast, chilly, bit of
moisture in the air – you get the picture. Late and without even bothering
to warm up, the current league leaders (undefeated in their opening two
games), Malden Wanderers, road in to town like a drunk John Wayne
arrogantly stalking his next outlaw. Seeing this lack lustre appearance,
and knowing that this is the team that stupidly try to fit two cricket
pitches on the same small strip of land and call it a home ground, there

was a sense of optimism about the Dulwich team – which contained a
refreshing 6 new players from the previous season.

As is customary, Dulwich lost the toss and were in to bat on wet wicket.
Roll on the standard chat of play sensibly, get through the first 15 overs,
keep wickets in hand, play straight, get forward, keep wickets in hand and
have a look at 40 overs to see where we are.

Off we went.

The start was slow but steady enough with Ed Matten playing some beautiful
cover drives straight to the fielders to ensure he remained on zero for a
painfully long period of time and Halloyd attempting to cut some dreadful
wide long hops without success. Then came what can only be described as the
biggest collapse since Wall Street. A procession that would have put Posh
and Becks' wedding to shame. Tight seam bowling started the rot, aided by a
very unfortunate run out at the bowlers end "the worst way to go" (a phrase
which clearly ignores the possibility of the getting bowled off your own
nuts). The spinners then came on and made things worse, with Stuart
Ferguson the only man showing any real fight before even he was done by a
low grubber. However, all of this disappointment was dispelled to the
shadows when the team had to go through the torment of watching Bridgey
constantly kick away a spinner on his way to what would have been a
majestic hundred before being tantalisingly left stranded on 4 not out.
Dulwich second team ALL OUT FOR 40.

Y.ou know you haven't had a great game when you bat first and not only do
you not get tea between innings but you over hear the umpires using the
phrase "we may as well get it over before tea".

The bowling performance was reasonable enough, the stand out and only
wicket taker being Alex Gledhill who bowled a tight and menacing spell of
left arm spin. However, it was all a touch fruitless as, despite a
worringly tea-delaying slow start, Malden got to their target comfortably,
just one down.

I think in reflecting on situations such as this, Yazz said it best – the
only way is up. Whilst we did have the major disadvantage of missing both
of our opening league games due to weather, the dog played pretty much as it always has and there was far too much sitting on the back foot and
playing across the line. Good news is that the next game should be a
comfortable affair away at Wimbledon, and the weather is set fair. . .

@MitchamCC@DulwichHamletFC@OfficialTmufc@MitchamCC our u12s were disappointed that their 2017 game at Cricket Green was washed out; believe our u14s and u16s are playing you there this summer, looking forward to it. We should try and get a girls’ game on at a venue with such a proud history of hosting women’s cricket!

Please note that due to floor replacement at Dulwich College Sports Centre there are no indoor nets this Sunday, 18th March. We await confirmation about the 25th March. Keep an eye on e-mails and website.

@PROACTIVE_Swk@lb_southwark Exciting times as all four teams in the semifinals hail from south of the river (Richmond sort of as it’s both sides of the river). Southwark play Greenwich and Bromley take on Richmond.....

In south London? Like cricket? Lewisham cricket winter training resumes tomorrow, ages 8-14, any level, all welcome, new players particularly so. Very nice set of coaches. Based in SE6. @ me for full details